A family’s baseball legacy
Carl and Cameron Upton, both deaf, will wear the red, white and blue as members of Team USA at the 2026 World Deaf Baseball Championship in Kanagawa, Japan. Their journey from childhood games coached by their father to a global stage reflects a blend of perseverance and passion for the sport.
Carl, 42, once starred on Warren Central High School’s 2001 state‑championship baseball team as a pitcher and first baseman before continuing his career at Faulkner State Community College and Mississippi College. Cameron, 32, set a Gallaudet University record with 211 career hits and finished his collegiate tenure with a .403 batting average, earning multiple all‑conference honors.
After college, the brothers transitioned to slow‑pitch softball, but the invitation to try out for the Deaf Baseball Championship in Austin, Texas, rekindled their love for the diamond. Cameron first heard about the Japan trip from a Gallaudet coach two years ago, and both secured spots on the roster after separate tryouts in October 2024 and June 2024.
Each player must raise $4,500 to cover travel and lodging, a target that the USA roster of 32 has collectively pursued through the fundraising platform givebutter.com. To date, roughly $123,000 of the $200,000 goal has been amassed, underscoring the community’s support.
The Upton family’s encouragement has been a constant thread. Their mother, Pat Upton, described the opportunity as a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience, while their father, Marshall Upton, has coached them since they were four years old. Their parents’ involvement dates back decades, nurturing a love for the game that now aims for international competition.
USA Deaf Baseball provides a rare platform for deaf athletes to showcase talent at a high level, yet the sport faces challenges in recruitment and visibility. The closure of Gallaudet’s baseball program in 2024 highlighted these hurdles, making the Uptons’ participation all the more significant.
The upcoming championship, scheduled for November 1‑3, 2026, will host roughly 150 players from six nations. For Carl and Cameron, the event represents not only a personal milestone but also a chance to inspire future deaf athletes to pursue baseball on the world stage.